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Very Good

#40 of 206 private schools in AL

Top 19% of private schools

Jefferson Christian Academy

School

1500 HERITAGE PL DR, Irondale, AL 35210

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on AL statewide data. Learn more

Enrollment

179

Student-Teacher

11.2:1

Score

7.3

Grades

Pre-K – 12th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

Alabama schools

#14 of 124

About Jefferson Christian Academy

Jefferson Christian Academy serves 179 students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade in Irondale, Alabama. This regular public school maintains an intimate learning environment with a student-teacher ratio of 11.2:1, supported by 16 full-time equivalent teachers. The school has earned exceptional recognition, ranking #19 out of 206 schools statewide and placing in the 91st percentile with an outstanding MySchoolScout rating of 9.4 out of 10.

This high performance reflects the school's commitment to academic excellence across all grade levels, from early childhood through high school graduation. Jefferson Christian Academy's comprehensive program spans the full K-12 experience, allowing students to develop within a consistent educational framework throughout their academic journey. The small enrollment creates opportunities for personalized attention and close teacher-student relationships that can benefit learning outcomes.

The school is situated in the 35210 ZIP code area, where families enjoy a median household income of $70,902 and median home values of $205,400. The community demonstrates a strong educational foundation, with 42% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, while maintaining a relatively low poverty rate of 10%. Jefferson Christian Academy operates within this stable, large suburban setting that values education and provides a supportive environment for student achievement.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 179 students, Jefferson Christian Academy is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

As a private school, Jefferson Christian Academy operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.

Financial Overview

Source: IRS Form 990 (2019 filing)

Per-Pupil Spending
Total expenses ÷ enrollment
$8,708
Per-Pupil Revenue
Total revenue ÷ enrollment
$9,796
Financial Health
Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
1.12x — Strong
Tuition Dependency
Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
97%
Total Assets
End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
$2.9M

Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 179 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Jefferson Christian Academy compares to the 4 public schools in Irondale, AL

Student-Teacher Ratio
11.2:1
This School
vs
16.9:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
179
This School
vs
563
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
7.3
This School
vs
5.8
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 52.5% vs 0%
Black 45.8% vs 0%
Hispanic 0.6% vs 0%
Jefferson Christian Academy Irondale Public Avg

All Schools in Irondale

School Rating
Jefferson Christian Academy (this school) 7.3
Irondale Middle School 5.0
Shades Valley High School 6.3
Irondale Community School 5.2
WE Putnam Middle SchoolMagnet 6.5

Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.

Score Breakdown

What This Rating Measures

This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in AL.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
B- 5.0 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 11.2:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
A 8.7 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7.2 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,324.8
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
A 8.7 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 51%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
A 8.5 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 179
View data sources

Score basis: Private school model

Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data

Components scored: 4 of 5

Ranking pool: Private schools in AL

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 52.5%
Black 45.8%
Pacific Islander 1.1%
Hispanic 0.6%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

1500 HERITAGE PL DR, Irondale, AL 35210

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Jefferson Christian Academy may also want to explore other schools in the area. HIGHLANDS SCHOOL (rated 8.5/10, 4.1 miles away, in nearby Birmingham), which scores notably higher. Another option is Vestavia Hills Elementary Liberty Park (rated 8.4/10, 5.1 miles away, in nearby Vestavia), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Magnolia Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 3.7 miles away, in nearby Trussville), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Irondale, see our Irondale schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 5.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Irondale Middle School Irondale 1.1 mi 5.0
Grantswood Community School Birmingham 1.3 mi 7.8
Shades Valley High School Irondale 1.3 mi 6.3
Christian School Birmingham 3.3 mi 7.5
Magnolia Elementary School Trussville 3.7 mi 8.3
Irondale Community School Irondale 3.8 mi 5.2
BANKS ACADEMY Birmingham 3.8 mi 5.1
BANKS ACADEMY Birmingham 3.8 mi 4.8
Huffman Middle School Birmingham 4.1 mi 3.9
HIGHLANDS SCHOOL Birmingham 4.1 mi 8.5
CORNERSTONE HIGH SCHOOL Birmingham 4.5 mi 7.0
WE Putnam Middle SchoolMagnet Irondale 4.2 mi 6.5
TRINITY OUTREACH MINISTRIES Birmingham 4.3 mi
Huffman High SchoolMagnet Birmingham 4.8 mi 4.2
Leeds High School Leeds 4.2 mi 4.5
ALLAN COTT SCHOOL Birmingham 5.0 mi 7.7
Ossie Ware Mitchell Middle School Birmingham 4.2 mi 5.1
Martha Gaskins K5 Birmingham 4.6 mi 5.2
Vestavia Hills Elementary Liberty Park Vestavia 5.1 mi 8.4
Liberty Park Middle School Vestavia 5.1 mi 7.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 35210 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$72,632

Median Home Value

$247,600

Median Rent

$1,164/mo

Population

13,878

College Educated

45.7%

Homeownership

68.1%

Avg Commute

22.5 min

Poverty Rate

8.3%

Median Age

44.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Jefferson Christian Academy has a median household income of $72,632. It is a well-educated community where 46% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $247,600, with a median rent of $1,164/month. The local poverty rate of 8.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 23 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
CHILTON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Jemison, AL 7.3
COOSA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Gadsden, AL 7.3
Amelia L Johnson High School Thomaston, AL 7.6
Autaugaville School Autaugaville, AL 7.6
LIFE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Harvest, AL 7.0
SPRINGWOOD SCHOOL Lanett, AL 7.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Jefferson Christian Academy

What grades does Jefferson Christian Academy serve?

Jefferson Christian Academy serves students in grades Pre-K through 12th.

How many students attend Jefferson Christian Academy?

Jefferson Christian Academy has an enrollment of approximately 179 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Jefferson Christian Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Jefferson Christian Academy is 11.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Jefferson Christian Academy rank in AL?

Jefferson Christian Academy is ranked #40 out of 206 private schools in AL.

What is Jefferson Christian Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Jefferson Christian Academy has a composite rating of 7.3 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

Is Jefferson Christian Academy a private school?

Yes, Jefferson Christian Academy is a private coeducational school with a Church of Christ affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is Jefferson Christian Academy a religious school?

Jefferson Christian Academy has a Church of Christ religious affiliation.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
3 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
1 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (1,581/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Irondale). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Enrollment
179
Gender Split
54% M / 46% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
16
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Church of Christ
School Day
7.2 hours
Days Per Year
184 days
Setting
Large Suburb
County
JEFFERSON
Data Year
2022–2023

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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